Farmers use of banned pesticide in Cambodia

A new study investigates, the consequences of farmers' use of banned pesticides in Cambodia

The researchers have found that most farmers at neighbouring Boeung Cheung Ek lake had a limited understanding of how to protect themselves from dangerous pesticides, resulting in 88 percent of those surveyed reporting symptoms of acute pesticide poisoning.

"The main issue we uncovered in BCE lake was the heavy and frequent use of pesticides which have been banned or restricted by the Cambodian government," says Hanne Klith Jensen, to The Phnom Penh Post.

Hanne Klith Jensen from the Department of Basic Science and Environment is head researcher of the study which focussed on the farming practices of morning glory aquaculture farmers in Thnout Chrum and Kba Tumnub villages.

"It is of great concern because these pesticides used are highly toxic to human health due to their effect on the nervous system, causing symptoms like headache, muscle cramps, diarrhea, numbness, blurred vision [and] chest pains."